By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - Thousands of Indonesians rallied in the capital Jakarta on Sunday to express solidarity with Palestinians and demand an end to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, local media reported.
Carrying tricolored Palestine flags and banners and sporting traditional keffiyehs, the participants, in their thousands, were seen coming in droves before they filled the city's South Monas Square, local English news site Tempo reported.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Culture Minister Fadli Zon also joined the rally, which was organized by the Indonesian People’s Alliance for Palestine (ARI-BP) in collaboration with the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), under the theme “United to Save Gaza from Massacre and Starvation.”
Addressing the rally, Sugiono reiterated Jakarta's commitment to the Palestinians struggle through international diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.
The Palestinians are not alone in their struggle, he said, adding that the Palestine issue is on the agenda of the Indonesian government.
"It's not just an expression. It's not just a speech. It's the most important thing that Indonesia will continue to fight for an independent Palestine state," he went on to say.
In his remarks, MUI Chairman for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim said: “The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. It’s not only genocide, but the people are also suffering from severe hunger. Incoming humanitarian aid is far from sufficient."
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
*Writing by Aamir Latif